WARREN — The Allegheny National Forest is planning several prescribed burns in the coming weeks.

The goals of the planned burns are to improve habitat for wildlife species that like open warm season grass habitat. This will be accomplished by burning woody vegetation and cool season grasses that compete with the warm season grasses.

The areas planned for prescribed burning (if weather conditions and other fire activities are suitable) are:

Buzzard Swamp area. Planned burn date is April 10. The burn area is approximately 82     acres

Spring     Creek. Planned burn date is around April 13. The burn area is approximately 6 acres

Fire Management Officer Pete To said the areas will be closed when the fire crews are burning. He also warned that there may be some smoke in the area when the burning is taking place.

If conditions are right and staff are available, three other areas may be treated this spring. These projects are designed to enhance establishment of oak seedlings.

Jakes     Rock (FSR 492). The burn area is approximately 86 acres

Kalbfus Club (FSR 438D). The burn area is approximately 85 acres

Rocky     Gap (FSR 524). The burn area is approximately 57 acres

For additional information about the prescribed burns, please contact Peter To, Fire Management Officer at pto@fs.fed.us or 814.728.6199.